The Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has awarded Boustead Heavy Industries Corp (BHIC) subsidiary BHIC AeroServices (BHICAS) a five-year helicopter services contract worth RM378 million (US$8.6 million), the company announced on 15 August.
BHICAS is a joint venture between BHIC’s wholly-owned BHIC Defence Technologies, Prestige Pillar, and Airbus Helicopters Malaysia.
Under the contract, BHICAS will provide a range of services via in-service support (ISS) to the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF’s) 12-strong Eurocopter EC725 Caracal (now Airbus H225M) helicopter fleet.
“The contract should further strengthen the position of BHIC AeroServices especially in providing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services to Airbus Helicopter’s products,” BHIC AeroServices chief executive officer Sevvale Sarvaesvaran told local media.
MINDEF earlier awarded BHICAS a supplemental 12-month extension contract in July 2023 along with an additional ceiling contract worth RM115.3 million to support the RMAF’s EC725 helicopter fleet.
The company noted that its support centre in the Malaysian International Aerospace Centre in Subang, Selangor is the only one-stop Airbus Helicopter service facility in Malaysia, providing comprehensive MRO and after-sales support and training services.
The RMAF’s EC725 fleet has been regularly deployed for various training exercises and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions, including flood rescue and aeromedical evacuation. According to the RMAF, the type has accumulated over 30,000 flight hours – among the highest in the Asia Pacific region – since it entered service in 2012.
The fleet is also being refitted with enhanced main gear boxes (EMGB) to extend operational lifespan and ease maintenance requirements.
The RMAF announced in December 2023 that is seeking 12 new multirole helicopters to boost its ability to conduct combat SAR and utility missions. Possible contenders are understood to include the Airbus Helicopters H225M – which is the incumbent type – as well as the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.
by Jr Ng
